Superb news for all SUP fans out there (that's stand up pad­dleboarding to the uninitiated) as Water­born, the South Hams' leading provider, has been awarded the chance to host a national series race here in Kingsbridge on the October 24.

All involved with the club urge you to put the date in your diaries and say it's going to be a great day out for everyone – participants and spectators alike.

Stand up paddle­boarding is the fastest growing sport in the UK and Waterborn, operating from their base at the Crabshell Inn, have been actively providing tuition and promoting paddleboarding for a number of years now, taking full advantage of the superb waterways we have in the region.

It is a fantastic achievement for Water­born and particularly for the new manager Crispin Jones, who took over the lead role less than two months ago.

He said: 'This is great news for us here at Waterborn, but more importantly great news for the area.

'The prestige of hosting a national event and the potential influx of competitors and spectators to the town in October is a major coup and will undoubtedly benefit all.'

The contest will be the last race in the 2015 UK SUP Clubs series and will include the crowning ceremonies for the UK SUP champions, including a junior SUP champion – the first time this has happened.

Crispin added: 'At Waterborn we know that the sport is accessible to all ages and it's particularly exciting to see the juniors get pride of place with their own one-design fair race.

'And who knows, the next UK champion could be your child, so why not come along and get practising?

'We are running stand up paddleboarding lessons throughout the year...' 

If you would like any further information on the race event or about the sport of stand up paddleboarding in general, call Crispin on 07908 193632 or head down to see the Water­born club at the Crab­shell Inn – he'll be more than happy to get you on board.